Released just before the Superbowl, Barna's survey suggests that 64 percent of Americans think pro athletes have more influence in society than professional faith leaders, whereas 19 percent think faith leaders have more influence. (The rest say both have equal influence (8%) or are not sure (10%).)

"Sports figures are deemed most influential by those making $60,000-plus, college graduates, whites and parents," notes Barna. "Those most likely to select faith leaders were weekly church attenders and those with incomes under $40,000."

Barna also found that 61 percent of Americans support athletes' public professions of faith (including most evangelicals (88%), blacks (79%), Boomers (66%), parents of children under 18 (66%), and women (65%)), with the most cited reason being they believe athletes have freedom of speech (40%). Perhaps most interesting, only 32 percent of Americans think athlete professions of faith make people "more spiritually minded."

Barna also looked at how aware Americans are of prominent athletes that openly discuss their faith. Not surprisingly, Tim Tebow tops the list:

* Tim Tebow, pro football player

83% of Americans are aware of Tebow; 73% feel favorably about his public discussion of faith

* Kurt Warner, retired pro football player

59% overall awareness; 80% are favorable toward his public discussions of faith